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South Korea E-2 visa and TEFL certification
If you're planning to teach English in South Korea, your TEFL certificate needs to tick a specific set of boxes: a minimum number of training hours, and an authenticated copy that Korean authorities will accept. A StudyTEFL 120-hour certificate, once apostilled, is built to meet exactly that.
Why a StudyTEFL certificate works for Korea
South Korean schools, and especially the government-run EPIK programme, typically look for a TEFL or TESOL certificate of at least 100 to 120 hours, alongside a bachelor's degree and a clean background check. A StudyTEFL 120-hour certificate meets the hours requirement most public schools and hagwons ask for.
South Korea has also been part of the Hague Apostille Convention since 2007, one of the longest-standing members in Asia, so getting your degree, TEFL certificate and background check apostilled is a well-established, routine part of the E-2 visa process, not a new or unusual step.
The E-2 visa is generally only open to citizens of a small group of countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa. Always confirm the exact requirements with your employer and the Korean Embassy or Consulate covering your home country before you apply.
South Korea E-2 visa requirements at a glance
Most foreign English teachers applying for an E-2 visa will be asked to provide the following.
EPIK and some public school placements can be more document-heavy than hagwons, and requirements can shift between intakes. Your employer's HR team, or your EPIK coordinator, will usually know exactly what's currently expected, so it's worth asking them directly once you have an offer in hand.
Choose your StudyTEFL route
All three routes below are 120 hours or more, meet the common E-2 visa hour requirement, and include tutor support and a QR-verifiable certificate. The $39 Complete course is where most applicants start.
120-Hour Complete TEFL
Our main route, and the one most E-2 applicants choose: the fuller 120-hour course with real classroom video and tutor support.
168-Hour Specialist TEFL
Everything in Complete TEFL, plus 40 hours on teaching young learners and 8 hours on teaching adults, useful for EPIK and hagwon roles teaching children.
120-Hour Practical TEFL
Everything in Complete TEFL, plus two assessed lesson plans and two recorded demo lessons with feedback from a real teacher.
Looking for the leanest option instead? The $29 Online Teacher TEFL also covers 120 hours, though it's built mainly for online teaching rather than in-person classroom work, so most E-2 applicants choose Complete TEFL or above.
How to get a South Korea E-2 visa
Find and accept a position with EPIK, a public school, or a registered hagwon (private academy) in South Korea. Only licensed schools can sponsor an E-2 visa, so check this before signing anything.
Your school issues a Certificate of Employment (or E-2 visa confirmation number) and standard labour contract, which you'll need for your visa application.
Your degree, TEFL certificate and criminal record check need solicitor certification and an apostille before they'll be accepted.
With your Certificate of Employment, contract and apostilled documents in hand, submit your E-2 visa application at the South Korean embassy or consulate that covers your area.
Once your E-2 visa is issued, you can travel. Within 90 days of arrival, you'll usually need a health check (including a drug test) and to register for your Alien Registration Card (ARC) at your local immigration office.
Getting your StudyTEFL certificate apostilled
Once you've completed your StudyTEFL course and downloaded your certificate, the next step is having it solicitor certified and apostilled so it's ready for your E-2 visa application.
The link below goes to our notary partner's order page for StudyTEFL certificates.
Typical turnaround is 1 to 2 working days plus return delivery. Timescales are provided as guidance and are not guaranteed.
A short travel guide for new teachers in Korea
Seoul offers the biggest expat community, the most job variety and the widest choice of hagwons, but the cost of living runs higher. Busan, Daegu and smaller provincial cities offer lower living costs and often stronger benefits, since schools outside Seoul work harder to attract foreign teachers.
EPIK has two main intakes, matching the school year: February and August. Hagwons hire year-round, with less lead time needed. Arriving a week or so early gives you breathing room to settle in before orientation or classes begin.
KakaoTalk handles messaging and is how almost everyone, including your school, will contact you. Naver Map is far more reliable than Google Maps in Korea. Coupang covers next-day delivery for almost anything. You'll need your Alien Registration Card to set up a local phone plan and bank account.
Learning to read Hangul, Korea's alphabet, takes a few hours and makes daily life much easier, even if you don't speak the language. Bring a couple of years' worth of any prescription medication you rely on, since brands and availability differ. Many contracts include housing or a housing allowance, so confirm which before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
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